Looking into the Future

How are we going to get there from here?
One of the liabilities of growing older is the loss of perpetual optimism: You never see Pollyanna depicted with gray hair. When I was asked to contribute something “grand and wide sweeping” for this special issue, I tried to gracefully refuse. I am not the visionary type. What I can contribute is more of a rant, in keeping with my curmudgeonly sensibilities.
Energy will always be available. In the future, though, the energy choices are likely to be far more expensive than what we have even now.
DON FUGLER works for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the federal agency responsible for housing. He was trained as a mechanical engineer. He manages projects for CMHC in areas such as indoor air quality, ventilation, energy efficiency, moisture, attics, and contaminated soils. The opinions expressed in this article are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of CMHC.
We can make big strides in reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The impediments are financial and political, rather than technical.
We can make big strides in reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The impediments are financial and political, rather ...